Checks, Uncashed

Maintains a website listing of County checks which have been issued and mailed, but remain uncashed up to four years after issuance. Individuals may search the database of checks one name at a time by conducting a check inquiry on this website, or may purchase a subscription to download the complete database of uncashed checks.

Provides strategic direction, establishes countywide standards and policies, and delivers advice to the Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Office, and County departments for the effective and secure use of information technology (IT), including hardware, software, and services. Responsible for enterprise IT planning, maximizing opportunities for data sharing and integration, maintaining countywide IT security policies and guidelines to safeguard technology assets and information, and expanding e-Government applications to enhance access and delivery of information and services.

Child Abuse Hotline

(See Children and Family Services, Department of)

Child Care, Office of

Implements the Child Care Policy Framework for Los Angeles County; provides staff support to the Los Angeles County Child Care Planning Committee and the Policy Roundtable for Child Care; engages in planning and research activities affecting the quantity, quality, and affordability of child care services; assists County employees with child care concerns and provides support to the network of 11 County employee child development centers; administers the following programs - the Steps to Excellence Project, a child care quality rating and improvement system in selected communities; and the Investing in Early Educators Program, which makes cash stipends available to qualified child care teachers working directly with young children.

Partners with community-based organizations and other County agencies which provide job training, job placement, peer counseling, and parenting classes to aid unemployed and underemployed non-custodial parents, enabling them to provide emotional, as well as financial support to their children.

The Call Center also provides assistance and information. The Call Center’s hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon. through Fri. Telephone voice response system, (866) 901-3212 is available 24 hours a day. Persons with child support cases may get information by entering their personal identification number (PIN) on their telephone key pad.

The public contact offices are open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon. through Fri.

Receives and processes child support payments for individuals with open cases through the Los Angeles County Child Support Services Department, as well as all other local child support agencies in California. Also receives and processes all employer child support wage withholding payments.

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Works to reduce the incidence of lead poisoning for children in Los Angeles County. Provides case management of lead-burdened children and environmental investigation to identify lead hazards.

Provides information on lead and lead poisoning prevention in several languages, outreach and education in high-risk areas, and education for health care providers.

Provides a toll-free hotline, (800) LA-4-LEAD, to answer questions, give information on testing for lead poisoning, provide referrals and written information regarding lead-related issues during regular working hours.

Disturbing lead-based paint at properties built before 1978 can create dangerous lead-dust. To report sandblasting or other activities that disturb lead-based paint, please call (800) LA-4-LEAD.

Children and Families, Commission for

Advises the Board of Supervisors in areas of child welfare and family policy. Pursues all major issues affecting children, their families, and children’s services in County government. Reviews policies, procedures and systemic issues of various County departments and agencies which provide children’s services. Assesses service levels and identifies community needs and thereafter makes recommendations to the Board.

The commission meets the first and third Monday of every month at 10 a.m. in Rm. 739 of the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration.

Provides services children and their families need when the children are at-risk due to actual or potential child abuse, abandonment, neglect or exploitation. Provides protective services to children in their own homes, short-term out-of-home services, adoption, guardianship and long-term foster care.

Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997, P.L. 105-89 amended Title IV-B and Title IV-E of the Social Security Act to clarify certain provisions of P.L. 96-272. It established requirements for assessing and approving the homes of relatives and non-related extended family members to speed the process of finding permanent homes for children. The ASFA Division has 14 home assessment units, which are distributed throughout the County in regional offices.

Accepts, prepares and places children of all ages in permanent adoptive homes. Provides casework and counseling to birth parents regarding children, both born and unborn, and provides foster care for children awaiting adoptive placement. Provides counseling for all parties to the adoption. Conducts studies and makes recommendations to the Superior Court on petitions for independent and stepparent adoptions.

Adoption services are available to persons of all races and religions who need or are seeking adoption plans.

First established in 1949 as the County Department of Adoptions, the Adoptions Division was made part of the Department of Children and Family Services when it was created in 1984. The Adoptions Division is licensed by the California Department of Social Services as a full service adoption agency. This license permits the agency to provide all adoption services with the exception of inter-country adoption (adoption of a foreign-born child who is not a dependent of the court).

DCFS provides the following adoption services:

Agency Adoption Program (888) 811-1121

In an agency adoption, the child is placed for adoption by a licensed agency (DCFS). DCFS prepares and places children of all ages in permanent adoptive homes. The majority of the children are court dependents and have been in foster care. The prospective adoptive family is provided with pre-adoption training and completes an adoption home study prior to placement. The birth parent’s parental rights are terminated by court action or by voluntarily relinquishing parental rights. Birth parent counseling is provided prior to relinquishment. DCFS is responsible until the adoption is finalized by the court. The Adoption Assistance Program is available to aid adoptive families.

Post Adoption Services (888) 811-1121

Post adoption services are available to all members of the adoption triad: the adopted person, the birth parents and the adoptive parents. Non-identifying case summaries and medical histories are provided. Reunions are arranged if the adopted person (over 18 years old) and the birth family member have filed consents for contact. There are monthly adoptive parent support groups and information and referral by telephone.

Independent Adoption Program (213) 351-0224

In an independent adoption, it is the birth parent’s decision and responsibility to choose the adoptive parent(s) and to place the child directly with the adoptive family. DCFS completes an assessment of the family after they have filed a petition to adopt with the court. A report is provided to the court regarding the suitability of the adoption in the best interest of the child.

Stepparent Adoption Program (213) 351-0163

A stepparent may petition the court to adopt the child of his or her spouse. Both the parent retaining custody and the parent relinquishing custody must consent to the adoption. DCFS completes an assessment of the family after a petition to adopt has been filed with the court. A report is provided to the court regarding the suitability of the adoption in the best interest of the child.

Children’s Group Home Ombudsman

Serves as an independent advocate and problem-solver for children placed in group homes by the Department of Children and Family Services. Children are encouraged to call or e-mail the Ombudsman, who will look into the issues they raise, and if needed, provide assistance in resolving problems.

Civil Service Commission

Serves as an independent administrative appeals body established by the Los Angeles County Charter to provide impartial and fair application of the Los Angeles County Civil Service rules. The commission’s appellant authority includes appeals of disciplinary actions, (e.g., discharges, reductions, and suspensions in excess of five days), alleged discrimination and limited other matters, as provided for in specific Civil Service rules.